Numbers 1:38
Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Original Language Analysis
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דָ֔ן
of Dan
H1835
דָ֔ן
of Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
2 of 15
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
H8435
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
Strong's:
H8435
Word #:
3 of 15
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 15
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
7 of 15
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
H8034
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Historical Context
Dan's original territory lay in the coastal lowlands, but pressure from the Philistines drove the tribe to migrate north, where they conquered Laish and established a rival worship center (Judges 18). This migration began Dan's trajectory toward apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's careful organization of Dan despite their future apostasy warn us against presuming on divine grace?
- What does this teach us about the tragedy of squandering spiritual privileges and covenant status?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Dan's census continues the methodical record of God's covenant people, maintaining the same genealogical precision for every tribe regardless of their later history. God's thorough documentation of Dan, despite the tribe's subsequent apostasy, demonstrates His common grace and providential care even for those who will ultimately prove unfaithful. This sobering reality warns against presumption while also revealing God's patience and long-suffering toward His people.